Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Congress leader DK Shivakaumar slug it out over price rise. Bengaluru: Just as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Opposition has no right to speak on the inflation issue, Congress leader DK Shivakumar shot back at the ruling dispensation by urging the voters to have one last look at the cooking LPG cylinders before they caste their votes.
Karnataka Congress president Shivakumar offered prayers at Sri Kenkeramma Temple in Kanakapura, Ramanagara, before he came to cast his vote. Shivakumar who is the grand old party's candidate for Kanakapura appealed to the voters to keep in mind the soaring cooking LPG cylinder prices.
"I'm appealing to everyone. Please cast your vote after a good look at our gas cylinders. I have advised all my leaders to put a gas cylinder outside the booth and put a garland on it," the senior Congress leader said adding, "Today young voters have a great opportunity...They will vote for a change..."
They know about the price rise and corruption in the state. I am sure they will go for a change and give us 141 seats. I am confident that Congress party will form the (next) government. I'm 200 per cent confident that the Congress party will have 141 seats. We will win with an absolute majority, Shivakumar said.
The Finance Minister who was among the early voters to cast her vote at a polling booth in Bengaluru's Jayanagar said: "On inflation, I am with the public that yes, there should not be a burden on them but the Opposition has no right (to speak on it). They should look at their own tenure,"
Nirmala who was speaking to the reporters after casting her vote here in the Karnataka Assembly elections took pot shots on Congress for incorporating the ban on Bajrang Dal in the latter's manifesto. She termed the episode as "an example of stupidity". "We always read Hanuman Chalisa and offer prayers to Bajrang Bali, but they (Congress) do this during the election. They mentioned that in their manifesto, this is an example of stupidity."
The Opposition party its manifesto have promised "decisive action" as per law including banning organisations like Bajrang Dal, the Popular Front of India and others.
